No stopping the women!!!
In terrific running conditions South Derbyshire Road Runners were out in force for the final race of the Burton and District Summer Road Running League (BDSL), the Tamworth 5. The Club’s women had already secured the BDSL team title and even without injured Club Captain, Katie Dennis they emphasised their strength here by winning the team prize. Led by Sara Insley in third place overall in a superb 33.37 with terrific support provided by the returning Jenny Laing in 34.31 and the improving Becky Moult in 37.05. The Club’s men, after a good season, have had to settle for second place in the BDSL and it was Andy Hawtin who set the standard here as he finished in eleventh place in 30.01 to edge out, by a whisker, Mark Slade in 30.03. Steve Green, Mark Farrar, Dave Green, and Richard Nash finished within seven places of each other as they recorded chip times of 31.08, 31.47, 32.32 and 32.37, respectively. Andy Orme was his usual consistent self as he recorded 34.28 before Ross Ballinger held his form well to stop the clock in 34.52. The resurgent Colin Mee has had an excellent, if unlucky season, in that he has missed the prizes his form has deserved. Here he was second again in his age group despite running an excellent 34.53 with Nigel Atkins one place back in the MV60 category in 35.38. Completing a clean sweep of this age category Steve Leafe’s 36.17 secured an excellent fourth place. Chris Mason was next in 36.42, which was good enough to secure the MV70 age group prize, with Neil Swift, after a great debut season, close behind in 37.10. Tracey Glover, despite a heavy cold, emphasised her strength in the WV45 category as she won the category here in 37.28 just edging out Emily Atkins in a well run 37.30. Paul Glover and the quickly improving Jay Darnley and Paul Hudson stopped the clock in 38.34, 38.48 and 39.39 respectively before Robert Dilworth, making a very welcome competitive debut for the Club, recorded 42.26 for second place in the MV70 category with Paul Harrison’s 43.35 securing third place in the same category. Sarah Walters and John Pegg recorded chip times of 44.11 and 45.23 respectively before Sophie Pickett crossed the line in 48.24 and another MV70, Tony Phillips, confirmed his standing as well-deserved winner of the series age group prize, with 49.50. Another making his racing debut Gareth Simpson recorded 50.53 with Mary Sharp, second in her age category in 51.57 and little separating the final four finishers for the Club, Sarah Green, Sara Sneath, Ellie Dickson and, making her race debut for the Club, Karen Goodwin as they recorded times of 52.37, 53.25, 53.26 and 54.54
